Karaoke Forums

I'm struggling with my home karaoke setup.

I have a home stereo that I'm very happy with in a relatively limited space. My amplifier was relatively high end when I bought it and I use it for music and home theater. I don't want to change it out and I don't have room for a set of PA speakers or a second higher wattage amp to drive them. In addition, the PA speakers I've seen have an obnoxious footprint for a living room.

My current setup has a karaoke component player hooked into my component stereo system. The karaoke disks sound great when I play them through the stereo.

I have been plugging my mics (Shure SM58) into the front of the player but I know that's not the best setup and I'm working on correcting that issue.

I ordered a Yamaha MG-82 CX mixer with compression for my microphones.

Here's my idea to get the vocals out of the stereo system to save my speakers and improve our sound:

Would a powered near range vocal stage monitor be a viable solution? I could run the mixer output to the vocal stage monitor and continue to run the karaoke player through my stereo system.

The vocal monitor would have a relatively small footprint and could be stashed out of sight when we're not using it.

Money isn't a huge issue. My biggest concerns are conserving space, maintaining an attractive living room and continuing our domestic tranquility.

Galaxy makes two powered stage monitors that might work:

PA5X140
Powered Micro Spot MSPA

Thanks for reading this far and especially for any help you can offer.

Tom

Why not just a powered speaker from the mixer?

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Mixing may be a bit of a pain, but there is nothing wrong with doing it that way.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I agree, but if it is the powered HotSpot or some other 5" speaker like that the audio experience is going to be way less than satisfactory. In my opinion, you might as well turn the level down and sing without amplication. Or just keeping the level down on your home theater speakers and hoping they don't blow. (Good luck on that.)

If money is not too big a deal, go with the portable like the StagePas. Keep it in the closet when you aren't doing karaoke.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I am assuming that he does not need to max up his home-set speakers to get near to the level of his stage mon.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

It's not a level question, in my opinion. The sound of a 5" near-field monitor is not going to be all that satisfactory for anyone but the person singing. If you are going to use it for practice, you might as well sing with the output of the MG82CX going into headphones.

Personally, I would just go with a single powered speaker like the B212A for karaoke parties, and use headphones for regular practice and/or recording. That is essentially what I do these days -- most days I don't turn on my speakers.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I'd go deaf if I maxed out my system. I never turn the amp up past 1/3 volume and it's loud at that setting. If I turned it up much more I'd have to stand outside to sing.

I am worried about how the stage monitor would sound at fairly low volume.

If I only used one speaker for karaoke then I'd lose the stereo effect from the cds.

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Stereo is overrated, in my opinion. I run mono at my gigs, as a lot of people do.

Plus, I am not even suggesting you play the music through it. Your idea of playing the music through the home system, would work just fine -- if a bit awkward to mix. Just send the vocals through the single speaker.

My question was how happy you would be with the small speaker. Knowing myself and my experience with the Galaxy, I would not be happy. There would be no "presence".

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

that's very helpful. I'm wondering the same thing. What powered speaker would you recommend for vocals only?

You could use most anything and keep up with your home stereo. You could purchase a Mackie SRM350 or JBL Eon G2 10". Either would make a good vocal speaker and would have decent resale value. (Though I don't know how well they sell singly.)

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The only reason most clubs are better run in mono is simply because of the size & speaker placements prohibit the entire bar area to get a good stereo effect as one side of the crowd would hear half the mix while the other side would hear the other half. In a situation where the stage is in a position to allow the crowd to hear the stereo effect, this is preferred - large concert venues are more prone to use stereo than smaller clubs. Living room where you are more than likely going to be standing in the middle of the speakers while singing, chances are you would appreciate the stereo effect more.

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Why not just get a smaller set of speakers that would handle live mic? That's what I have!